View oe beading box



A July 21,1936-v D, P. REDDING 2,048,221

VIEW OR READING BOX Filed March 4, 1955 IN VEN TOR.

Patented July 21, 1936 'r tries VIEW R READING BOX Daniel 'Parks Redding, Kansas City, Mo.

Application March 4, 1935, Serial No. 9,178

12 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in View or reading boxes for the study of spinographs, skiagraphs or X-ray negatives of the human spine or vertebrae or other bony structures. The objects of my invention are to provide improved means Ifor lining `up, such graphs with reference'to a given line to be utilized as a base line, for constructing or drafting lbase and other lines thereon and ,for determining the variation in angularity of the various lines so constructed or the angularity Tof imaginary lines to various points shown in the graphs, and-for the ready comparison V-of Vangles and ang-ularvvariation between various lines, either constructed or imaginary, be- Y tween similar points on different graphs.

For convenience I use the term graph or ,graphsto include all kinds of pictures or representatiens of bony or other structures of the hu- `man body produced either by the use of X-rays with photographic negatives or plates or in any other way, including both negatives and positives, as well as prints, tracings, drawings and other reproductions of all kinds of parts of the human body, including particularly the spinal column and vertebrae. Y

I attain these objects by the means illustrated inthe accompanying drawing, in which,-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a reading-box with my improvement installed thereon;

Figure 2 is a 'cross-section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1; l Y

A Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of my hinged protractor and Vsupporting rod showing the hinge on the line 3-3 of Figure 1, the hinge members being formed integral with the protractors.

Figure 4 is a similar View but shows an alternate form in which the hinge members are of tubular -form having anges which are united to the proiltractors;

Y' Figure 5 is an enlarged detail showing a supporting collar adjustably secured to the column, le, to form a gauge to support the protractor at a predetermined height.

My Ydevice comprises a box having a rectangular fron-t frame, 5, united to a semicircular reflecting back, l. The back, l, is formed with flanges, la, vat the edges thereof, to which the front, 5, may be attached by rivets, spot-welding or other suitable means;

The back, I, is preferably formed of lightcolored or white sheetmetal or painted white or otherwise coated to give it considerable light-reiiecting power.

The Ifront frame comprises side and end strips andthe side strips are joined at the middle by an 'intermediate'strip All of Vthese strips may be formed integral or Amay be formed'separatel-y and united together by any suitable means and may be either wood or metal as desired.

The intermediate strip divides the entire front into two rectangles substantially equal in size and glass plates, il and il', are suitably mounted in the vfront frames to occupy said rectangles respectively.

Upon the inner edges of the frame surrounding each rectangle, I form or mount identical scales, 6.

.Near the four corners of the front frame I Aattach brackets, 1, by screws or bolts, la, or other suitable means. These brackets are formed with upstanding ears on the two inner sides thereof.

In the ears I mount rods, 8, 9 and lll, which extend substantially the full length or width of the box.- The rods, 8, 9, and l0, may have their ends` reduced and pivotally mounted in the brackets, l, or they'may be rigidly secured inthe brackets, 1, as desired by any suitable means. The rods, 8, 9 and Hl, are preferably round so as to aord pivots for thesliding protractor units mounted thereon as hereafter described.

Each protractor unit comprises a protractor, l2, with scales mounted on each side thereof and a ruling arm orstraightedge, Ill, preferably marked with a numbered scale, pivoted at the center Vpoint of the protractor; or a pair of protractors, l2, with the ruling arm movable between them upon its pivot. i

V To the feet or outer ends of the protractors I mount hinged members which may be composed of two spring members, l2a, as in Figure 3 or of a tubular member, |27), as shown in Figure 4.

When the spring members, |20., are utilized,

they should be of sufcient resilience to be readily snapped upon or` removed from the rods, 8, 9 andV lll., but when the tubular form, |25, is uilized, it may be mounted upon the pivot rod before the pivotrod is secured in the brackets. In either case it is intended that the sliding members shall ttightly Yenough upon therods so that they will stay at any particular point at which they are left and so that the weight of gravity will not tendto move them therefrom. The sliding lprotractor units may be mountable upon `any of the rods, 8, 9 or I5, but in practice I prefer to provide one such unit to be retained permanently upon the rod, Ill, and a removable .unit to be mounted upon the upper rod, 9, or upon the lower rod, 9, or upon either of the end rods, 8, as desired.

The supporting' rods, 8,` 9 and lll, and the hinges, lZ, of the protractors, l2, are so proportioned that the straightedged arms, I4, will lie at a convenient distance above the surface of the Vglass or transparent fronts, 4 and il', either for drawing lines or for adjusting the position of the lms thereon, and it should be noticed that when constructed as described, the straight arm, I 4, when carried by the intermediate rod, Il), will kmay thus properly be described as reversible;

Clips, I8, are united to the upper strips of the VVrectangular face projecting downwardly so as to base.

grip the X-ray negatives or graphs and secure" them in adjusted position upon the Yglass plates,

Base lines may be established on the lms by drawing a line yfrom one pointlto another on the film and then placing the lms or negatives in the necessary position upon the glass plates of the reading box so ,that lines drawn Yonrthe film will line up with corresponding Vfigures orY marks on the scales on the inneredges'of the frame.' Or if preferred the films or graphs may be placed upon the glass plates, 4 or 4', in any desired ,position and a base line established as mentioned above.V Then by moving the protractor unit and arm, I4, until itis parallel with the line onthe lm, a reading on the protractor may be noted establishing the position of this line in degrees.

The armvmay also be used as a guide or rule for drawing a line between desired points to be utilized asja base. `The protractor unit 'may then be-moved so that Vthe arm, I4, may be used as a ruler to draw afline between the desired points upon any Vvertebra the angularity Yof which it is desired to obtain with reference to the The angles indicated by the Yprotractor may then be compared and the difference computed. ,Y Y

In cases where' it is desired tocompare agiven lm or spinograph with an Xeray film, of the same area taken ksay Athirty vdays before, the comparative changes Y, areV easily noticed. One lm can bermountedupon one ofthe glass plates, .4 or 4', andthe comparative film or. a standard chart mounted upon the other one in the same relative position., .The protractor unit on Vthe rod, I0, may then be turned into contact with the chart or film used as a standard or comparativeV film, and the desired comparisons and observances madeand noted. It can then be rotated on the rod, l0, and comparative observations made with the lm or graph under observation on therother side and the variations computed. Y Y ,Y

My apparatus may also be vused by utilizing a protractor upon the top rod for useV innsquaring the film, by drawing a line from Vthe center of the odontoid of the axis,to the junction of the spinous process on the seventh cervical vertebra. Also the lm mayl be squared by placing the film so the base line is in line with the figure six, for instance, on `the upper scaleof the readf ing box and .on the figure-six of the lower scale. Another line may then be drawn from the junction of thespinous process of the axis to the center of the odontoid ofthe axis, and then by,l placing the protractor arm on the upper rod onV this line, the reading on the protractor will show the amount of misalignment; if any, in degrees which represents the difference in these two lines.

The scales on the sides of the box may be used to advantage in squaring the base line on the atlas. border or tipv on the lateral mass to the Vother thus establishing the base line. is so established, the protractor may be lined up with the base line established in a similar way on the occipital bone, and the reading of the prostraightedge. Y

4. A reading-box Yfor X-ray or, similar negayThis line is drawn from one inferiorV When this Vline tractor made to indicate the vdegree of side slipping of the atlas.V n Y This apparatus is also useful to determine the line of drive to be used on a subluxated atlas, axis or other vertebrae. v f

Many other uses will suggest themselves Ato the competent chiropractorin actual use of thev apparatus in connection withspinograph or X-ray lms, and Ido not Vlimit my apparatus to any particular uses Ybut claim the apparatus described for any use to which it is applicable;

I claim: l Y 1. A` reading-box for X-ray or similarlms, comprising an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparent plates secured in a rectangularrfront frame, an intermediate frame member Y secured inV Ythe frame parallel Ywith 4the ends thereof, supporting rods mounted upon there- 'spective side, end and intermediate'fram'e members Vand parallelA thereto each adapted to support a sliding carriage, a reversible carriage mounted upon the -intermediate frame member f and embodying aprotractor vwith hingemembers united thereto adapted to hinge the protractor upon the intermediate rod and to slide longitudi- 25 nally thereon, ay straight-edged arm pivoted upon either ofthe transparent platesinvposition to have lines drawn thereon by the Vaid of the arm. f2. A. reading'fboxjfor XY-rayY or'similar films, comprising'an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparentplates secured inia'Y rectangular front frame, an intermediate frame member sfecured in the frame parallel with the ends there-l of, supporting rods mounted upon the respective side, end and intermediate frame members and parallel thereto each adapted to support a slide ing carriage, a 4 reversible carriage removably mounted upon the intermediate frame Vmember and embodying aprotractor with hinge members y united'thereto adapted to hinge the protractor upon the intermediaterrod and to slide longitudinallyrthereon, and a straight-edged arm Vpivoted upon'and at the center point'of the protractor. 3.,A `reading-box forVX-ray or similar nega-g tives, comprising an illuminated chamber' having a pair of transparent plates secured in the Vfront Vof a rectangular *front frame, Van Vintermediate the end thereof, supporting rods mounted upon the respective side, end and intermediate frame Y tudinally thereon, 'a straightedge pivoteduponY yand at theV center point of the protractor adapted to serve as a ruler, corresponding numberedV scales united to Vthe frame members severally, 'amilmeans'adapted to hold a negative or graph upon'either vof the "transparent plates in position to have lines drawn thereon by the use ofthe tives, comprising an illuminatedchamber having a pair of transparent plates secured in the front of a rectangular front frame, an intermediate frame member secured in the frame parallel with` the ends thereof, a supporting rod mounted upon theintermediate "frame'member and extending n lengthwise thereof; a reversible carriage slidingly 75 frame member secured in the frame parallel' with 50 mounted upon said supporting rod having formed integral therewith hinge members adapted to hinge said carriage upon the supporting rod and to slide longitudinally thereon, a protractor formed integral with said carriage and a straightedged arm pivotally mounted upon the carriage and pivoted at the center point of the protractor, corresponding numbered scales united to the frame members severally at the inner edges thereof, and means secured to the frames adapted to hold a negative or graph upon either of the k transparent plates.

5. A reading-box for X-ray or similar nega.- tives, comprising an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparent plates secured in the front of a rectangular front frame, an intermediate frame member secured in the frame parallel with the ends thereof, supporting rods mounted upon the respective side, end and intermediate frame members and parallel thereto each adapted to support a sliding carriage, a slidable carriage removably mountable upon any one of the supporting rods and embodying a protractor with hinge members united thereto adapted to slide llongitudinally thereon, a straightedge pivoted upon and at the center point of the protractor adapted to serve as a ruler, corresponding numbered scales united to the frame members severally at the inner edges thereof, and means adapted to hold a negative or graph upon either of the transparent plates in position to have lines drawn thereon by the use of the straightedge.

6. A reading-box for X-ray or similar negatives, comprising an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparent plates secured in the front thereof in a rectangular frame, an intermediate frame member secured in the frame parallel with the ends thereof, a supporting rod mounted upon the intermediate frame member and parallel thereto adapted to support a sliding carriage,

. a carriage slidably mounted upon the supporting rod and embodying a protractor with hinge members united thereto adapted to. hinge the protractor upon the straightedge pivoted upon and at the center point of the protractor adapted to serve as a ruler, corresponding numbered scales united to the frame members severally, and means adapted to hold a negative or graph upon either of the transparent plates in position to havelines drawn thereon by the use of the straightedge.

'7. A reading-box for X-ray negativ-es comprising an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparent or translucent front plates secured in a rectangular frame, an intermediate frame member secured in the frame between the plates and parallel with the ends of the frame, a supporting rod mounted upon the intermediate v frame member and extending lengthwise thereof,

a reversible carriage slidingly mounted upon said supporting rod having formed integral therewith hinge members adapted to hinge said carriage upon the supporting rod and to slide longitudinally thereon, a protractor rigidly united to said carriage and comprising a pair of semi-circular plates having a straightedged arm pivoted at their center point and slidablely between said plates.

8. A reading-box for X-ray negatives comprising an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparent or translucent front plates secured in a rectangular frame, an intermediate frame hold a negative or graph upon either of the plates.

9. A reading-box for X-ray negatives comprising an illuminated chamber having a pair of transparent or translucent front plates secured in a rectangular frame, an intermediate frame member secured in the frame between the plates and parallel with the ends of the frame, a supporting rod mounted upon the intermediate :frame member and extending lengthwise thereof, a reversible carriage slidingly mounted upon said supporting rod having formed integral therewith hinge members adapted to hinge said carriage upon the supporting rod and to slide longitudinally thereon, a protractor rigidly united to said carriage and comprising a pair of spaced semi-circular plates having a straight-edged arm pivoted at their center point and slidable between said plates, and corresponding numbered scales united to the frame members severally.

l0. In an apparatus for drafting, the combination with a iiat plate adapted to form a support for one or more sheets of paper, Celluloid films or similar objects, a transverse supporting rod mounted adjacent the plate at the middle thereof, a reversible carriage slidingly and pivotally mounted upon the supporting rod, a protractor united to the carriage comprising a pair of spaced semi-circular plates carrying suitable scales marked thereon, having a straightedged arm adapted for use as a ruler interposed between the plates and pivoted at their center points.

1l. In an apparatus for viewing, comparing or marking X-ray negatives and graphs, a frame carrying a pair of flat plates, a supporting rod united to the frame mounted transversely thereof intermediate the plates, a reversible carriage slidingly and pivotally mounted upon the supporting rod, a protractor united to the carriage comprising a pair of spaced semi-circular plates carrying suitable scales marked thereon, having a straightedged arm adapted for use as a ruler interposed between the plates and pivoted at their center points.

l2. In an apparatus for viewing, comparing or marking X-ray negatives and graphs, a frame carrying a pair of ilat plates, a supporting rod united to the frame mounted transversely thereof intermediate the plates, a reversible carriage slidingly and pivotally mounted upon the supporting rod, a protractor united to the carriage comprising a pair of spaced semi-circular plates carrying suitable scales marked thereon, having a straightedged arm adapted for use as a ruler interposed between the plates and pivoted at their center points, and means for securing negatives or graphs upon the flat plates.

DANIEL PARKS REDDING. 

